The Lancaster took off from RAF Witchford at 16:10 hours on 1st January 1945 to Vohwinkel, Landkreis Mettmann, Nord Rhein, Westpahalia, to bomb railway yards.

After bombing the target area, NG332, on the return trip, whilst flying over Belgium it was hit by Flak, believed to have been fired by the 184th American Gun Battalion, which brought it down and crashed in a field on farmland at Emines (Namur) at 20:10 hrs. killing all the crew members.

From: Officer I/C No.2. Section (Belgium) N.W. and N. Service. RAF.

Reference your letter CANR253871/P.4.Cas Can CII dated 29th January,1945 and CANR75106/P.4.Cas/MRE dated 30th April,1945, I visited the Mairie at Emines on 29th August 1945 and the following information was given to me by the Burgermaster:

1. Two large four engined bombers crashed in the same area at 20:00 hours, both had, as far as could be ascertained, been shot down by American anti-aircraft fire.

2. The first plane was shot down at 20:00 hours and crashed in a field facing the Mairie of Emines and as far as the Mairie could state, five bodies had been recovered. He could not give an indication as to identities. The only verification I could get of the actual wreckage which I inspected was the Squadron markings XH. Roundel B. All other means of identification had been carefully removed.

3. The second plane Lancaster NG.332 fell in a field belonging to Monsieur Jean Van Marsenville, Ferme de Samoy, Near Emines and blew up with terrific force. From this crash only small pieces of the aircraft were found and no bodies. The following information given at the time by Dvr. Thurstin of 33 C.G.S. RAMC. St Servals helps considerably in clearing the case. He delivered the human remains to the American Grave Service and it is on his assumption that there were seven members of the crew that the American Authorities have buried the remains in one grave and assigned to it seven unidentified members.

4. I visited the Ferme du Manoir and there I saw Monsieur Henro Jadin who was the first on the scene of the crash. There was absolutely no trace of a grave in respect of Fl/O. Booth at any spot around the whole area. The identity card and £1.00 note are all we found on the 21st February,1945. I would point out at this juncture that the name of L.Ladivion is completely unknown in that district and no other construction could be put to it, in an endeavour to trace any person whose name may resemble it. It would be appreciated if, when names are given, the address of the individual be given as well, as signatures are often unread.

5. Whilst searching the wreckage I found a small piece of blue grey battle dress with the New Zealand shoulder badge. This would confirm that I was dealing with the correct aircraft as Fl/sgt. Sterling was a New Zealander.

6. The crew of Lancaster NG332 are buried in the American Military Cemetery at Fosse, date 01.01.45 Plot P. Row 5 allotted seven unidentified members. I have see the grave and verified the records at the Cemetery office.

Burial Details:

P/O. John William McLeod. Leopoldsburg War Cemetery. Collective grave. VIII. C. 9 to 16, at Leopoldsburg, Belgium. He is also commemorated on Page 544, of The Second World War, Book of Remembrance, Canada.

Researched by Bob Wilton. With thanks to John Fenwick Rogers (nephew of Fl/Sgt. John Fenwick) for further information and crew photographs. Also thanks to Patrick Mills son of Sq/Ldr. Anthony Mills. We would also like to thank other relatives who have supplied information to John for this article.